Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Nicole Harris

Abstract

Purpose A significant percentage of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) youth in the United States report experiencing serious mental health concerns, yet they face major challenges when it comes to seeking out and receiving mental health care (The Trevor Project, 2022). As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and rapidly expanding technologies, telehealth services have become a norm in the healthcare field (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022; Whaley & McBain, 2023). However, there is a lack of evidence on how to incorporate meaningful, occupation-based interventions to address these mental health needs into telehealth services (Duffy et al., 2022; Proffitt et al., 2021). The purpose of this scholarly project and the associated product is to provide mental health practitioners with a comprehensive guide of resources that are compatible for use in virtual contexts in order to improve the meaningfulness and effectiveness of telehealth-based interventions, specifically with LGBTQ+ youth.

Methods A literature review was completed using CINAHL, PubMed, Google Scholar, and OT Search to identify supports and barriers in telehealth service delivery and research meaningful, occupation-based interventions for LGBTQ+ youth. Additionally, informal interviews were conducted with clinical staff to assess specific client needs. The Model of Human Occupation (O’Brien, 2017) and the Adaptive Internal Relational Network Model (McClelland et al., 2015) were also used as a theoretical framework to guide the development of the scholarly project and the associated product.

Results The culminating product of this scholarly project, Telehealth Resources for LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults, is a virtual resource guide for occupational therapists and other mental health practitioners. It contains telehealth-friendly therapeutic materials and support services specific to LGBTQ+ youth, their unique mental health challenges, and their valued occupations.

Conclusion This product was created to provide occupational therapists and other mental health practitioners with an all-inclusive guide to providing mental health services to LGBTQ+ youth via telehealth. It is anticipated that the utilization of this product will improve the quality, effectiveness, and meaningfulness of mental health services delivered via telehealth. vii

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